ABO incompatible renal transplants: Good or bad?

ABO incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi-KT) was previously considered to be an absolute contraindication for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to hyperacute rejection related to blood type barrier. Since the first successful series of ABOi-KT was reported, ABOi-KT is performed increasingly all over the world. ABOi-KT has led to an expanded donor pool and reduced the number of patients with ESKD awaiting deceased kidney transplantation (KT). Intensified immunosuppression and immunological understanding has helped to shape current desensitization protocols. Consequently, in recent years, ABOi-KT outcome is comparable to ABO compatible KT (ABOc-KT). However, many questions still remain unanswered. In ABOi-KT, there is an additional residual immunological risk that may lead to allograft damage, despite using current diverse but usually intensified immunosuppressive protocols at the expense of increasing risk of infection and possibly malignancy. Notably, in ABOi-KT, desensitization and antibody reduction therapies have increased the cost of KT. Reassuringly, there has been an evolution in ABOi-KT leading to a simplification of protocols over the last decade. This review provides an overview of the history, outcome, protocol, advantages and disadvantages in ABOi-KT, and focuses on whether ABOi-KT should be recommended as a therapeutic option of KT in the future.

Pancreatic actinomycosis as a cause of retroperitoneal fibrosis in a patient with chronic pancreatitis. Case report and literature review.

CONTEXT: Chronic alcoholic pancreatitis is a debilitating disease that is often complicated by pseudotumoral changes of the pancreas, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer. Actinomycosis is an uncommon intra-abdominal infection and its association with chronic pancreatitis has been rarely reported. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a patient with progressive long standing chronic pancreatitis who develops pseudo-tumoural changes and retroperitoneal fibrosis associated with actinomycosis. CONCLUSION: This is a rare presentation of actinomycosis, posing a diagnostic challenge to the clinician, with important therapeutic implications.

Small for size syndrome following living donor and split liver transplantation.

The field of liver transplantation is limited by the availability of donor organs. The use of living donor and split cadaveric grafts is one potential method of expanding the donor pool. However, primary graft dysfunction can result from the use of partial livers despite the absence of other causes such as vascular obstruction or sepsis. This increasingly recognised phenomenon is termed "Small-for-size syndrome" (SFSS). Studies in animal models and humans have suggested portal hyperperfusion of the graft combined with poor venous outflow and reduced arterial flow might cause sinusoidal congestion and endothelial dysfunction. Graft related factors such as graft to recipient body weight ratio < 0.8, impaired venous outflow, steatosis > 30% and prolonged warm/cold ischemia time are positively predictive of SFSS. Donor related factors include deranged liver function tests and prolonged intensive care unit stay greater than five days. Child-Pugh grade C recipients are at relatively greater risk of developing SFSS. Surgical approaches to prevent SFSS fall into two categories: those targeting portal hyperperfusion by reducing inflow to the graft, including splenic artery modulation and portacaval shunts; and those aiming to relieve parenchymal congestion. This review aims to examine the controversial diagnosis of SFSS, including current strategies to predict and prevent its occurrence. We will also consider whether such interventions could jeopardize the graft by compromising regeneration.

[Topical hemostatic devices in surgery: between science and marketing]. / Hemostáticos tópicos en cirugía: entre la ciencia y el marketing.

Topical hemostatic agents have been used in surgery with varying degrees of success. These agents include oxidized cellulose, absorbable gelatin sponges, microfibrillar collagen and fibrin seals. Fibrin seals have become widely used as they improve perioperative hemostasis, reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions and prevent biliary leaks. Their widespread use, however, contrasts with the scarcity of data from controlled studies to support their clinical effectiveness. Therefore, a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-center study was performed in 300 patients who underwent elective hepatectomy, with and without application of fibrin seal on the raw liver surface. None of the variables evaluated (blood loss, transfusions, biliary fistulas and postoperative results) differed between the two groups. We conclude that the application of fibrin seal does not seem justified and that discontinuing its routine use would substantially reduce costs. The use of a new agent, Tachosil, is supported by a single multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial, which is limited by the small number of patients and by the fact that the variable analyzed--time from application to hemostasis--may not be clinically relevant.

[Results of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery according to DRG in a level 2 hospital surgery department during the years 2005-2006]. / Resultados de la cirugía hepatobiliopancreática en un servicio de cirugía de un hospital de segundo nivel según los GRD durante el bienio 2005-2006.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery of a surgery department during 2005-2006 using the diagnostic related groups. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The data were obtained from the CMBD-HA of the Catalan Health Service. We assessed the frequency, hospital stay and mortality of the surgical procedures. The results were compared with the 63 public hospitals, and the 8 of them belonging to the Catalan Health Institute. RESULTS: In our area, a clear trend is observed in referrals for certain types of complex procedures on the liver, pancreas and biliary system excluding cholecystectomy with or without associated morbidities (7-11%) without exceeding the population percentage (12%). In our centre, the impact on hospital stay is more evident in complex procedures. The total savings in our centre during the years 2005-2006 compared with the XHUP hospitals group were 2212 days of hospital stay with an equivalent cost saving of more than one million euro. The frequency and the results of hospital stay and mortality of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy were those expected for the population covered by a general hospital. The mortality in complex procedures was half of that of the whole public network or the ICS centres. CONCLUSIONS: In the complex hepatobiliary-pancreatic pathology, the mortality, and cost savings in our centre appear to be the result of, not only the high volume of procedures, but also to specialisation and factors related to the structure of the department, and surgeon training.

Resultados de la cirugía hepatobiliopancreática en un servicio de cirugía de un hospital de segundo nivel según los GRD durante el bienio 2005-2006 / Results of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery according to DRG in a level 2 hospital surgery department during the years 2005-2006

Objetivo. Evaluar los resultados de la cirugía hepatobiliopancreática de un servicio de cirugía durante el bienio 2005-2006, mediante los grupos relacionados por el diagnóstico. Materiales y método. Los datos se han obtenido del Registro del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos de los Hospitales de Agudos del CatSalut. Se ha valorado la frecuencia, la estancia y la mortalidad. Los resultados han sido comparados con los 63 hospitales públicos de Cataluña (XHUP) y con los 8 de ellos que pertenecen al Instituto Catalán de la Salud (ICS). Resultados. Se observa, en nuestra área de influencia, una clara tendencia a la referencia para cierto tipo de procedimientos complejos (7-11%), sin superarla proporción poblacional (12%). En nuestro centro, el impacto en las estancias hospitalarias es más evidente en los procedimientos complejos. El ahorro total de recursos de nuestro servicio en el bienio2005-2006 en relación con el grupo de hospitales de la XHUP fue de 2.212 días de estancia hospitalaria, cuyo coste equivale a más de un millón de euros. La frecuencia y los resultados sobre las estancias hospitalarias y la mortalidad de la colecistectomía son los esperados para la población que se atiende como hospital general. La mortalidad en los procedimientos complejos fue la mitad que la observada para el conjunto de hospitales de la XHUP o del ICS. Conclusiones. En la patología hepatobiliopancreática compleja, creemos que la mortalidad y el ahorro de recursos en nuestro centro se deben no sólo al volumen, sino a la especialización y los factores relacionados con la estructura del servicio y el entrenamiento de los cirujanos (AU)

Objective. To assess the results of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery of a surgery department during2005-2006 using the diagnostic related groups. Materials and method. The data were obtained from the CMBD-HA of the Catalan Health Service. We assessed the frequency, hospital stay and mortality of the surgical procedures. The results were compared with the 63 public hospitals, and the 8 of them belonging to the Catalan Health Institute. Results. In our area, a clear trend is observed in referrals for certain types of complex procedures on the liver, pancreas and biliary system excluding cholecystectomy with or without associated morbidities(7-11%) without exceeding the population percentage(12%). In our centre, the impact on hospital stay is more evident in complex procedures. The total savings in our centre during the years 2005-2006 compared with the XHUP hospitals group were 2212 days of hospital stay with an equivalent cost saving of more than one million euro. The frequency and the results of hospital stay and mortality of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy were those expected for the population covered by a general hospital. The mortality in complex procedures was half of that of the whole public network or the ICS centres. Conclusions. In the complex hepatobiliary-pancreatic pathology, the mortality, and cost savings in our centre appear to be the result of, not only the high volume of procedures, but also to specialization and factors related to the structure of the department, and surgeon training (AU)

[Cephalic duodenopancreatectomy in periampullary tumours. Dissection of the superior mesenteric artery as aninitial approach. Description of the technique and an assessment of our initial experience]. / Duodenopancreatectomía cefálica en tumores periampulares. Disección de la arteria mesentérica superior como abordaje inicial. Descripción de la técnica y evaluación de nuestra experiencia inicial.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with initial dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) has been described as a useful technical variant to reduce blood loss and to avoid an unnecessary intervention in those cases with arterial involvement. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the results of two recent technical modifications of PD introduced by our group: initial dissection of SMA and antecolic gastroenterostomy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Patients were divided into two groups: with and without initial dissection of the SMA. The results were also analysed according to the type of gastric reconstruction. Perioperative and long-term results are compared. RESULTS: The overall mortality was 5%, with no significant differences between the initial SMA dissection and conventional PD. The transfusion rate (p < 0.001), the volume of blood products transfused (p = 0.001), and the overall complication rate were lower (p = 0.01) in the initial SMA dissection group. Also the postoperative hospital stay was significantly lower (p

Practical questions in liver metastases of colorectal cancer: general principles of treatment.

Liver metastases of colorectal cancer are currently treated by multidisciplinary teams using strategies that combine chemotherapy, surgery and ablative techniques. Many patients classically considered non-resectable can now be rescued by neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by liver resection, with similar results to those obtained in initial resections. While many of those patients will recur, repeat resection is a feasible and safe approach if the recurrence is confined to the liver. Several factors that until recently were considered contraindications are now recognized only as adverse prognostic factors and no longer as contraindications for surgery. The current evaluation process to select patients for surgery is no longer focused on what is to be removed but rather on what will remain. The single most important objective is to achieve a complete (R0) resection within the limits of safety in terms of quantity and quality of the remaining liver. An increasing number of patients with synchronous liver metastases are treated by simultaneous resection of the primary and the liver metastatic tumours. Multilobar disease can also be approached by staged procedures that combine neoadjuvant chemotherapy, limited resections in one lobe, embolization or ligation of the contralateral portal vein and a major resection in a second procedure. Extrahepatic disease is no longer a contraindication for surgery provided that an R0 resection can be achieved. A reverse surgical staged approach (liver metastases first, primary second) is another strategy that has appeared recently. Provided that a careful selection is made, elderly patients can also benefit from surgical treatment of liver metastases.